Shawn Young

Shawn joined HMH in 2023 through the acquisition of Classcraft, where he served as co-founder and CEO for 10 years. In 2025, he was named Chief Platform Officer, leading efforts to power an educational ecosystem where tools connect seamlessly, educators feel supported and clarity replaces complexity. 

Shawn’s leadership is grounded in his experience as an 11th grade physics teacher, giving him a deep understanding of classroom realities and educator needs. At Classcraft—a certified B-Corp and global leader in gamification and positive behavior intervention—he pioneered innovative approaches to student motivation and engagement. He’s also a seasoned web developer with a bachelor’s degree in physics and master’s in education from Université de Sherbrooke.

A lifelong advocate for education, Shawn has served as co-chair of UNESCO’s MGIEP Global Collective for SEL and Digital Learning, president of the Edteq Association and Ambassador for the Education faculty of University of Sherbrooke.